Apparatus for destroying weeds



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J; J-. L. M PH ERSONL APPARATUS FOR DBSTROYING WEEDS.

No. 544,542. r. Patented Aug. 13,1895.

(No Model.)

9 wzdzkesses I J. J. L. MQPHERSON. APPARATUS FOR DBSTROYING WEEDS;v

. Patented Aug. 13, 1895.

A hue/#0114 2 Sheets- Sheet 2. A

UNrrnn STATES} anion...

JAMES J.-L. MOPHERSON, OF SILVER LEAF, N ORTH DAKOTA v APPARATUS FOR DjE STROYING WEEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,542, dated August 13, 1895.

Application filed May 17, 1895.: Serial No. 549,656- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES J. L. MOPHER-.

SON, of Silver Leaf, Dickey county, North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Destroying Weeds, of which the following specification contains a full, clear, and exact descrip-. tion, reference being had to the'accon'ipanying drawings, forming part thereof, in which- Figure lis a front perspective of the appa-' ratus. Fig. 2 is a rear perspective of one section thereof. i

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by which weeds, especially the Russian thistle, may be simultaneously removed from the field and converted into ashes, which are distributed on the ground as the apparatus is moved over the field.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of .parts hereinafter described and claimed. I

The apparatus comprises one or more burners or rake-like grates A, formed of refractory material and preferably connected together in pairs at their adjacent ends by means of a suitable coupling A, which consists in the present instance of two clips or a and a con-.

necting-ring a. Each burner or section A has an A-shaped draft-rod B, the rear ends of which may be connected to the end bars of the burner by clips b and rings 1), or the rings may be connected to hooks b in rear of clips, as shown, so as to form a loose pivotal connection. The outer ends of these draft-rods B are spaced apart by a spreader B, and are connected to the rear ends of the forward A- shaped draft-rod B The transverse bar B is connected at its middle to the forward end of the draft-rod B and at its ends is provided with the doubletrees B to which are attached the singletrees B Thus the draft-animals will be far enough in advance of the burner to be out of danger.

Each burner or, rake-like grate A is formed of a series of horizontal parallel tooth-like bottom bars A secured at their rear ends to the transverse spaced bars A The end bars A are somewhat heavier than the intermediate bars, as the draft comes upon them. Theverse bar A while the braces A extend from the end bars A up to the corners of the back,

where they are secured.

retaining-flanges will thus be formed. This frame a is shown as formed with apertures a in all four sides, and heavy wire is passed through these apertures, so as to form a net ting a The entire back may be formed in a single malleable casting, if desired, as may also the bottom or horizontal portion of the burner.

When the rear ends of the draft-rods B are secured to the hooks of short chains 11 connect the said rods with the eyebolts of the clips 19, so as to hold the front end of the burner A from tilting down and getting caught in the soil.

The ends and middle of each burner A are provided with sleeve-like'brackets 0, having set-screws c, which engage the vertical shanks d of the runners D, so that the burners may be adjusted to different heights for weeds of varying growth.

The invention relates primarily to the destroying of the Russian thistle, which must be removed before the ground can be plowed. The thistles are operated on after they become dry, and as the apparatus is dragged slowly forward it will gather them. As soon as the burners become filled the weeds are ignited and burn so fiercely that they are rapidly reduced to ashes, which are constantly forced out of the rear ends of the burners by the incoming weeds and jolting of the burners. This method of gathering and burning the weeds and distributing the ashes is continuous, and has proven a very effective way of destroying this great pest of the Western farmer.

The apparatusis simple, inexpensive, and not liable to get out of order. There is nothing combustible employed in its construction.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A Weed destroying apparatus consisting in a horizontal burner or fire-grate of refractory material and having forwardly project ing rake-teeth at its front side to gather the weeds upon the burner or grate where they are consumed as gathered; said burner having a back to hold the burning weeds thereon and bottom openings to permit the ashes to fall through and be distributed along the ground as the apparatus is drawn thereover, and a draft or propelling mechanism out of the way of the flames, substantially as described.

2. A weed destroyer comprising a rake-like grate or burner having a series of lower horizontal bottom bars and an upwardly extending grated or netted back, the whole formed of refractory material, and a draft mechanism, the said rake-like burner being adapted to gather the Weeds with its forwardly projecting teeth, into or upon the burner where they will be consumed, as the apparatus is drawn along, and the ashes fall through and be distributed on the surface of the ground, substantially as set forth.

3. A weed destroyer com prising a rake-like grate or burner, having a series of lower horizontal bottom bars, an upwardly extending grated or netted back, the whole formed of refractory material, and adjustable runners or shoes for adjusting the height of the burner, substantially as set forth.

4. A weed destroying apparatus comprising a pair of rake-like grates or burners formed of refractory material, coupled at their adjacent ends, and each provided with an A-shaped draftrod, the forward ends of which are con-- nected to a third similar draft bar, and a spacing bar between the forward ends of the first two draft bars, the said rake-like burner being adapted to gather the weeds with its forwardly projecting teeth,into or upon the burner where they will be consumed, as the apparatus is drawn along, and the ashes fall through and be distributed on the surface of the ground, substantially as set forth.

5. A weed destroying apparatus comprising a refractory rake-like grate or burner, the endbars of which have a plurality of clips or hooks, an A-shaped draft bar connected at its rear ends to any two corresponding clips or hooks, and chains or rods for connecting the forward ends of the end grate bars with the sides of the draft-bar, the said rake-like burner being adapted to gather the weeds with its forwardly projecting teeth, into or upon the burner where they will be consumed, as the apparatus is drawn along, and the ashes fall through and be distributed on the surface of the ground, substantially as set forth. I

6. A refractory rake-like weed gatherer and burner having a horizontal bottom section and an upwardly extending grate or netted back; the top end bars of which are formed of angle-iron, one flange of each iron projecting toward the front, substantially as set forth.

- JAMES J. L. MCPHERSON. Witnesses:

J. E. SMITH, E. J. HAASZE. 

